Service with a Smile

One of my goals intentions for 2012 is to do a service FHE every month. (We aren't going to talk a lot about my intentions here and how they aren't all being done...ahem.) Luckily for me, we mapped out what the service would be ahead of time so I wouldn't be scrambling at the last minute.

So far, so good.

A friend of mine said that I should put my ideas on my blog so that others could benefit. I guess that makes sense. At the same time, I'm not trying to toot the Cazier horn, so just know that we enjoy serving (when children are cooperative and non-grumpy) as much as the next person.

JANUARY

We wrote our list of service opportunities and gave brownies fudge to our school teachers. (It was supposed to be brownies given to our church teachers, but when you have fudge on hand and just enough for three school teachers, that is the way you go.)

FEBRUARY

We did several heart attacks to people in our neighborhood and one lady that Tyler works with. It was fun to sneak up at night and stick hearts on the doors. Although the attacking was done in secret, we did leave our name, so there wasn't any confusion about awkward crushes and the like.

MARCH

This month I tried something out of my comfort zone. I read online that you can take teddy bears and other stuffed animals into your local fire station and they will use them for children that have been in accidents to comfort them or help them trust the firefighters. We always seem to have a plethora of stuffed things around here that are not being used, so I thought I would try it.

We put it on FB as well and had several other families donate with us. It was great. We went and picked up animals and then headed off to the fire station. (This is where my friend mentioned that I should be sharing this info, so I decided to take a camera too and do a real documentation.)

Here we are outside the station. Thank you Tyler for having us face the sun for this picture.

Each of the girls got to carry their own bag to feel like they were offering something. I didn't remember to count, but I believe we had close to 50 animals.

Inside was a little anticlimactic. The fireman on duty seemed a little confused as to what to do with all these cuddly creatures we were bringing in. He said to just put them in the corner. I was suddenly glad I grabbed the camera, because then we had an excuse to stay two seconds longer and make the experience more real for the kids.

We finished the night with ice cream and donuts (one or the other) and everyone seemed content. At least I always feel good after helping someone and eating a donut.

Stay tuned for more Cazier service adventures.

Keeping it Real

I hate daylight savings.

I hate it even more when I am sick.

I am not enjoying dragging my achy body out of bed and sniffling all day.

I am so behind on laundry, it has taken over the closets. I think I heard it chuckling as I walked by.

Found out that I know the Brandon Dorman who illustrates the Fable Haven and Goosebumps book, and many others. I always wondered if he was the same kid I grew up with. This does not make me famous in any way, because he probably doesn't remember me and if he does, it is probably because I chased him around when I was really little. (And then he moved...no big surprise there.)

But still, something to be excited about while I go wrestle the laundry beast. Wish me luck. Odds are not in my favor.

p.s. If you find my missing hour of sleep, will you mail it to me. (With a couple of pillows.)

One of the reasons I love having all girls...

Spring sprang this week. The weather is gorgeous and I firmly believe that the days are getting longer and freedom from the house is in sight. Yahoo. So to celebrate, we went and did this on Saturday.

I just love me a long line of flip-flops. Check out those cute baby ones for Pearl. Daisy was extremely mad that I took a picture of hers and sulked for a good fifteen minutes. (??)

Mine are a little different this year. I saw the cherries and everyone demanded I get them. Then I noticed they were wedges.

S'okay. I could use the height any day. They are guaranteed to be filthy by the end of the summer, but they will be well loved.

I'm already looking forward to a summer with less sock folding. Boo-yah!

We Are Normal

We went to a wedding reception for a great friend back in February. She had it at an art museum and as an added bonus the photographer took pictures of everyone after they went through the line. There was a box of dress up materials. It was perfect time to show off our normalcy.

I think I might be inspired. I have a good idea brewing...

Clogging

June started clogging in January. The opportunity to dance at a competition came up very quickly. I told June that she didn't need to go. But she really wanted to attend. I was a little worried that she would be nervous or disappointed, but I think she had a great experience. AND, she learned four out of the five solos before she went. Good job June.

There were so many kids to dance the solos that they lined them up in rows and had each line dance back to back. (Not a bad idea to get everyone through quickly.)

I like that the lady who runs our studio keeps the costumes simple and modest. And I think it helps the kids focus on the dancing and not the show.

June did a great job. She remembered everything. Except to smile. I don't think she has learned that one yet.

Only three girls came from June's class. (This competition was not mandatory.) Lots of kids came from the younger class though. So fun for them to get a feel for the big world of clogging. (I think June's class is called 'Sparklers' but that might be the name of the little class too. I am kinda new at all this too.)

June received a medal for competing and a first place pin for each of the solos she did.

Yep, you heard right...first place. Okay, so all the young kids got first place. I still think she did a really good job. I love watching my girls grow and explore new talents and interests.

Young Beauty

Last week the Young Women in my ward invited me to come and talk a little about photography and why I like it. They also invited another sister to talk about hair and makeup. So, we had a fabulous night of getting made up and taking pictures. All these girls are so beautiful. There is something so fresh about that age. Yes, we don't have a lot of young women in our ward, but they each bring a special something to our ward family. They are all fabulous. Enjoy.

I feel that you can really see their Divine Worth shining through. So amazing.

Pearl to the Power of TWO

So it is all official now. Pearl has left her first year behind and she is two. TWO!! My baby is TWO! There is so much awesomeness about that, but I don't want to get into my ponderings on the changing stages of my life. Let's just celebrate with this cutie.

Despite what I threatened, we did get stuff for her and it wasn't bubblewrap. (Although that would have been cool.) However, our offerings possibly weren't much better than bubblewrap. Yes, behold, an eyeball.

And books.

Okay, books are definitely better than bubblewrap. You know how kids can get fixated on one book and look at it over and over? Well, Pearl's book of choice at the moment is Pinkalicious. (I think because it has cupcakes.) The copy we have was getting very worn and the pages were starting to rip, so we got her her own copy to destroy slowly. And I have seen her read it every day since she got it. Granted that is only two days, but that is consistency for a two year old.

This picture was me distracting Pearl long enough for her to look up. In all the pictures she was looking down. (As if presents are more interesting than her mom taking photos.)

We saved the best present for last. And naturally it is one of those toys from MY childhood that we pull out every other year or so and it seems brand new to all the kids. I always let all the cool presents be from Dad. That way the kids will love him more, and then someday they will realize who really bought them all the good presents. It will be too late by then. They will all be daddy's girls. (I can handle that.) So, anyway...Marble Works. (Does it look familiar mom?)

Dad helped her start it off.

It was a pretty crazy set-up and there were four other girls vying for a turn.

But she got the hang of it right away.

June would scoop up handfuls and feed them to Pearl.

Who, in turn would, feed them all directly into the contraption. Two year old bliss.

This also has been used by all the children multiple times a day. I figure it is good for another month and then back to the garage to dazzle us all again in a few years.

There were other birthday staples like balloons (not pictured) and cake. Actually, I tried my hand at cake balls. I now know many things NOT to do again. The goal was to make a 'pearl' for each cupcake. You may lie and tell me that they look just like enormous pearls on those shells.

Pearl figured out the candles easily enough.

And then she was down to business. For the record, cake balls are way less crumbly than cupcakes. Novel too. I think I see more of them in our future.

Pearl had a good birthday, even if she didn't know that's what it was. I think most days are pretty good in her book. Here she is fresh from the tub. Those eyes are awesome.

Way to be two, little one!